Information
2. Getting the project details
5. Search Engines Optimization
Your company, your website
As we work on your website, we always keep in mind that this is your website, not ours. We want it to be something you are absolutely proud of and show off to all your colleagues. You will get our professional opinion, but never an ego that will only do what we want.
Getting the project details
The most efficient way for us to get a website done is to understand who you are. Every project begins with a thorough discussion about every detail of your project from design to functionality. There is no wasted time on coming up with random design comps that are nowhere near what you like because the initial consultation will give us a clear roadmap for what you are looking for.
Understanding the audience
Who your website is intended for is a key factor in how it is designed. If you are targeting an older audience, larger fonts, less fancy graphics, and ease-of-use are some of the design elements we would incorporate. A flashy website with constantly moving objects detracts and confuses users who are trying to gather information about you and your business quickly.
Having a goal
Every website needs to serve a function beyond looking pretty. If you are selling products, your goal is to get users to purchase your items. If you are providing services, you're goal is to get people to contact you. Designing a website that will help focus website visitors on reaching your individual goal is what we aim for.
Search Engine Optimization
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) refers to writing content and building a website in a way that is optimal for the search engines such as Google, Yahoo! and MSN to read it and rank it high in their search engine result pages (SERPs). Seems simple enough, but search engines are constantly changing their criteria for what makes a good website. You have to remember that the main goal of search engines is to provide results with quality websites that are exactly what the user is searching for.
Step One: Keyword Analysis
We first start with an in-depth analysis of your target market and audience. We will conduct thorough research to determine what keyword phrases people will use when trying to find your products or services. For example, an attorney practicing specifically on personal injury would get keyword phrases such as "personal injury attorney San Diego". We match up a root keyword term (personal injury attorney) along with a location (San Diego) to reach a more targeted audience.
Step Two: Custom Content
Optimizing a website goes beyond sticking keyword phrases into the title tag and meta tags. In order to effectively optimize a website, the content must be written in a way that includes the keyword phrases being targeted. The difficulty lies in getting "personal injury attorney San Diego" into the flow of normal content so that search engines like it and real website visitors like it. PoorcH Designs has plenty of experience in creating customized content that is optimized for search engines.
Step Three: Implementation
Your website design is approved, the search engine optimized content is complete and now it is time to put it all together. With PoorcH designs' experience in developing optimized websites, we know all the minor nuances that can help improve your site's rankings from the way a site is built in HTML to the latest techniques that popular search engines allow you to submit your website content to better ensure that your website shows up in their results.
Step Four: Tracking
To determine the success of an search engine optimization effort, we use tools to help track statistics of visitors and current rankings on the major search engines. With those numbers, we can see how well your site is doing before the optimized site compared to after. Typically, 6 months is the first time we do a benchmark analysis to review positions as your rankings do not change overnight.
Converting users into customers
Once you are able to get visitors to your website, you need to turn them into paying customers. If your website design and layout make it difficult for someone to find the information they are looking for, then they won't contact you. Making a website clear and easy-to-use so a visitor instantly knows what you are all about and can either make a purchase online, email you or call you for more information is paramount to everything else. A fancy design may impress visitors, but it won't always make them a paying customer.
Our web design process specifically takes usability and conversion into account every step of the way. We want to ensure that every detail is examined to ensure that we take effort to turn a casual website visitor into a paying customer.
Selecting a Web Designer
When selecting a web designer, experience counts. Just about any kid in high school can produce an HTML page however designing a site, developing the user interface and architecture takes experience. The best type of experience is professional experience. Select a designer who has been working in the industry for at least two years.
Ask to see at least three samples of the designers work and make sure you get an idea of what the candidate's personal involvement in each project was. Just working with a company that has a web site is not experience.
Look for diversity in the designs. If every site looks the same, perhaps this designer won't be able to capture the vision you have of your site. Also, pay attention to the supposed audience of each site. Does the design reflect the needs and sensibilities of the supposed audience?
A professional web designer will take a lot of time to talk with you about your needs. They will be able to guide you towards the right solution and won't be afraid to state their opinions about some of your ideas. Remember, you are seeking their expert advice - make sure they have some.
A professional web designer will not haggle on their rates and they should be able to give you an accurate estimate. Be wary of those who insist on collecting the entire estimate up front. Many web designers are not licensed by the state and it is easy to be a victim of fraud.
It is typical to pay a 50% deposit upon commencement of work. Do make sure you have both signed a contract and if you have a legal representative, have them look the contract over. Set a realistic deadline and state in the contract that the deposit is due back in full if the deadline isn't met. Time is money and half baked HTML code isn't going to do anything for you and it will be hard to get another designer to take it over.
Ask the candidate what type of release schedule they will be working with and how they will be presenting work as it is completed. For larger projects, assign milestone deadlines for each section of completed work. Never agree to pay the balance before each milestone is complete.
The cost should be directly related to the time the designer estimates for the project. Agree upon an hourly rate and ask the designer to provide you with detailed hour logs. Agree on the means in which these will be delivered to you weekly.
Most importantly, when seeking a web designer or any other professional for that matter, ask for references from past employers and/or clients. Call each reference on the phone and ask the following:
- Are you satisfied with the work done?
- Was the work completed on schedule?
- Was the communication between you and the designer open and easy?
